“To me it was a way to write a love letter to this part of my heritage.” That is how Salma Hayek Pinault described her work bringing the timeless values of Kahlil Gibran to life in the forthcoming animated film, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.” Salma produced the animated adaption of the classic book, a film that is sure to impact and inspire millions of viewers across the world with the power, beauty, and truth of Kahlil Gibran's poetry, when it is released internationally this year. We understand Salma’s passion for the project. It is that passion and dedication to pressing humanitarian issues that we celebrate when we honor Salma Hayek Pinault with the Award for Individual Achievement at this year’s 2015 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala, on April 29 in Washington, DC.

Salma is a dedicated and vocal activist, working through the Salma Hayek Foundation, as a board member of the Kering Foundation, and as co-founder of Chime for Change to promote education, health, and justice for girls and women all over the world. Through Chime for Change, Salma has leveraged her celebrity status to support innovative technology solutions that provide an ever-growing number of girls the tools they need to access education, leadership training, and healthcare. In a short time, Chime for Change has fully financed more than 200 projects in 81 countries, and provides ongoing support to 87 nonprofit partners across the world. Salma’s commitment to amplifying and featuring the voices of girls and women from around the globe by highlighting their struggles has undoubtedly contributed to greater awareness, equality, and justice.

We established the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards in 1999 to recognize the work of people and institutions that make a difference. The awards embody Gibran’s pride in his Arab heritage and his universal love of humanity. Salma Hayek Pinault approaches her work with that same passion and understanding, reminding us of why we established the awards in the first place – to celebrate those that dedicate themselves to lifting others up. Salma will be with us to celebrate our 17th annual Gibran Gala and we hope you will be too. Please purchase your ticket today.